Capillary Storage System

ABSTRACT

A cryo-storage device for biological samples provides a capillary holder, a capillary tube, and a container. A supporting body of the capillary holder has a bottom surface to which a plurality of legs are perimetrically connected, and a top surface to which a handle is connected. Traversing through the supporting body is a plurality of holes, designed to receive capillary tubes. The capillary holder can be placed in a sample tube, such that capillary tubes traverse through one of the plurality of holes and gather sample from the well of the sample tube through capillary action. By providing multiple capillary tubes, a sample can quickly be divided, aiding the storage, freezing, and thawing process. The container has a lateral surface which holds a plurality of supports. The capillary holders have two lips which are placed on the supports, allowing a number of capillary holders to be stored in the container.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 61/866,653 filed on Aug. 16, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a storage device for samplesusing micro capillary separation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system for the cryo-storage of valuablebiological samples, such as RNA, Protein and DNA solutions. Samples usedfor research are often prepared and tailored specifically for theexperiment. The preparation is done in advance of the experiment,sometimes days ahead. Often, a large amount of sample is produced orobtained so that several experiments can be run using the same batch ofsample. These prepared samples are frozen until needed. When anexperiment requires the samples for use, they are removed from storageand thawed. The necessary amount of sample can then be taken, with theremainder being refrozen and returned to storage for future use.

Though the above method is commonly used during the course of research,there are several drawbacks. For one, the entire stored sample must bethawed and refrozen each time it is required for use. This adds time tothe preparation process of an experiment as a sample might need to beremoved half an hour or even an hour before it is fully thawed and readyfor use. While some samples can be heated for a quicker thawing process,many degrade if exposed to rapid temperature changes and thus are notsuited to accelerated thawing. Furthermore, because the entire samplemust be thawed and frozen regardless of how much sample is actuallyneeded for use, the sample often undergoes several cycles of freezingand thawing. The physical features of many samples are very vulnerableto the freeze-thaw process, with the resulting degradation potentiallyaffecting experimental results. While a researcher can aliquot thesample into different tubes to avoid this issue, such a process is timeconsuming and requires a large amount of frozen storage resources. Thereexists a need for a convenient, quick, and compact method of separatingand freezing biological samples.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acapillary holder device that supports capillary tubes in a sample tube,allowing the sample to be quickly divided amongst the capillary tubesthrough capillary action. It is a further object of the presentinvention to provide a container for efficiently storing the capillaryholder during distribution and pre-use storage. It is a further objectof the present invention to provide a combination of capillary holderand capillary tubes that automatically separates a sample into smalleramounts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capillary holder of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the capillary holder of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the capillary holder and a capillarytube of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the capillary holder and two capillarytubes of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the capillary holder and threecapillary tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the capillary holder and four capillarytubes of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the capillary holder and the capillary tube ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the capillary holder and the capillary tubeof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the capillary holder and the capillary tubeof the present invention, being positioned in a sample tube.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container provided for storage of thecapillary holders and capillary tubes, with the lid displayed in dottedline.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the container provided for storage of thecapillary holders and capillary tubes, with the lid displayed in dottedline.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an apparatus for use with and storage ofcapillary action tools. The present invention comprises at least onecapillary holder 1, at least one capillary tube 2, and a container 3.The capillary holders 1 are stored in the container 3 prior to use,where they are easily accessed once needed. The capillary tube 2, whichcan be provided as a single unit or a group, is designed to be held withthe capillary holder 1 during use. During the process of using thepresent invention, the capillary holder 1 is removed from the container3 and is then placed into a sample tube 4, allowing the supportedcapillary tubes 2 to collect part of the sample through capillaryaction. The capillary holder 1 and the corresponding capillary tubes 2,which are now housed within the sample tube 4, can then be placed in afreezer or other similar device for cold storage. When the sample isneeded for use, the appropriate number of capillary tubes 2, stored inthe sample tube 4, can be removed from freezer and quickly thawed foruse. This is an improvement over the current process of freezing theunseparated contents of an entire sample tube 4, which must then becompletely thawed even if only a small amount of sample is desired foruse. The present invention maintains a high quality of sample bynegating the need for constantly thawing and refreezing the entiresample every time an experiment needs to be run.

The capillary holder 1 comprises a supporting body 11, a plurality ofholes 12, a handle 13, and a plurality of legs 14, as shown in FIG. 1.The supporting body 11, which serves as the main framework of thecapillary holder 1, is traversed through by the plurality of holes 12.Visible in FIG. 1-FIG. 4, the plurality of holes 12 are radiallypositioned around the handle 13, which itself is connected adjacent tothe supporting body 11. Connected to adjacent to the supporting body 11,opposite the handle 13, is the plurality of legs 14. The plurality oflegs 14 are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5. The pluralityof holes 12 are used to secure capillary tubes 2, such that eachcapillary tube 2 traverses through a respective hole 121 from theplurality of holes 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The supporting body 11 allowsthe capillary holder 1 to be securely inserted into a sample tube 4,where it is held up by the plurality of legs 14. The plurality of legs14 raise the supporting body 11 high enough so that any receivedcapillary tubes 2 can be held in the sample tube 4 without tipping overdue to being top heavy. The legs 14 also provide clearance which allowsthe capillary tubes 2 to be inserted into the bottom of the sample tube4. In combination with the plurality of holes 12, the supporting body 11is capable of bracing the capillary tubes 2 and keeping them steady.

The supporting body 11 itself comprises a top surface 111 and a bottomsurface 112, as depicted in FIG. 5. The handle 13 is centrally connectedto the top surface 111, providing a convenient and balanced point fromwhich a user can lift the capillary holder 1. The plurality of legs 14are further defined as being perimetrically connected to the bottomsurface 112. The plurality of holes 12 traverse into the top surface 111and out of the bottom surface 112, such that any received capillarytubes 2 are held in a generally vertical orientation.

In the preferred embodiment, the supporting body 11 is cylindrical. Thisis because sample tubes 4 are generally tubular in nature and thus acylindrical supporting body 11 is ideal for being inserted into a sampletube 4. By using a cylindrical supporting body 11, the capillary holder1 can be sized to match a specific size of sample tube 4, allowing for aflush fit between the cylindrical supporting body 11 and the sample tube4. Meanwhile, the opening of each of the plurality of holes 12 is largerthan the capillary tube 2. This allows the orientation of the capillarytube 2 to be adjusted, which is beneficial if a small amount of sampleis left in the center of the sample tube 4. The capillary tube 2 can beslightly angled in order to contact and draw (through capillary action)the sample remaining in the center of the sample tube 4.

Additionally, the plurality of legs 14 comprises a first leg 141 and asecond leg 142 in the preferred embodiment. The first leg 141 and thesecond leg 142 are positioned opposite each other around the supportingbody 11, providing the minimum amount of support necessary to hold thesupporting body 11 upright. Because the supporting body 11 is insertedinto a sample tube 4, the walls of the sample tube 4 brace the capillaryholder 1 in position, negating the need for additional legs 14. Inanother embodiment, to allow the capillary holder 1 to support itself ina freestanding position, the plurality of legs 14 would need to compriseat least one additional leg forming a tripod structure which is selfsupporting. The placement of the first leg 141 and the second leg 142are illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5.

The capillary tubes 2 used with the present invention comprise a firstend 21, a second end 22, and a grip 23, which are shown in FIG. 3A-FIG.3D, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. The first end 21 and second end 22 arepositioned opposite each other along the capillary body, forming theelongated shape of the capillary tube 2. At the first end 21, a grip 23is adjacently connected, serving as a convenient surface for a person tograsp. The grip 23 and the first end 21 are positioned adjacent to thetop surface 111, such that the grip 23 rests upon the top surface 111.This prevents the capillary tube 2 from falling through its respectivehole 121 while simultaneously making the capillary tube 2 easier to graband move. The second end 22, which intakes samples through capillaryaction, is positioned in the bottom of a sample tube 4 holder, in the“well” 41 region, as shown in FIG. 6. The well 41 is the curved ortapered end of a sample tube 4, which serves to pool low levels ofsamples in an area that is easily accessed by a pipette tip or similaraccessory, e.g. the capillary tube 2. By placing the capillary tube 2 ina respective hole 121 from the capillary holder 1, the grip 23 restsatop the top surface 111, preventing the capillary tube 2 from fallingthrough the respective hole 121 while allowing the second end 22 to beheld in the well 41 of the sample tube 4.

The combination of the capillary holder 1 and the capillary tube 2 allowsamples from a test tube to be easily and quickly divided into smalleramounts, each stored in an individual capillary tube 2. The capillarytubes 2 used can be designed for various volumes, even as low as 1 or 2μl. As a result, the contents of a sample tube 4 are made moreaccessible for future use, by dividing the sample into smaller amountswhich are quicker to thaw and premeasured to a desired amount. Forexample, provided a 100 μl sample split into twenty 5 μl capillary tubes2, an experiment calling for 10 μl of sample would only need to take outtwo capillary tubes 2 to thaw instead of the entire 100 μl sample tube4. Examples of the capillary holder 1 of the present invention withmultiple capillary tubes 2 are provided in FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG.3D. These illustrations show two, three, and four capillary tubes 2,respectively.

To facilitate storage and distribution of the capillary holder 1 and thecapillary tubes 2 it holds, the present invention utilizes the container3, as depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This container 3 comprises alateral surface 31 and a plurality of capillary holder supports 32. Thelateral surface 31 acts as the wall of the container 3, as well as amounting point for the plurality of capillary holder supports 32. Theplurality of capillary holder supports 32 are positioned interior to thelateral surface 31, and connected across the lateral surface 31.Effectively, the plurality of capillary holder supports 32 formhorizontal beams that run the length of the container 3. The pluralityof capillary holder supports 32 are designed to suspend the capillaryholders 1 in the container 3. To assist with this, the capillary holder1 further comprises a first lip 15 and a second lip 16, which arepositioned adjacent to the supporting body 11. The first lip 15 and thesecond lip 16 are connected to the perimeter of the supporting body 11,positioned opposite each other around the supporting body 11. The firstlip 15 and second lip 16 are positioned such that an imaginary lineconnecting them would evenly bisect the supporting body 11. Thisplacement allows the first lip 15 and the second lip 16 to be supportedby the plurality of capillary holder supports 32, resulting in thecapillary holder 1 itself being suspended in the container 3. To allowthis, the plurality of capillary holder 1 supports 32 comprises anarbitrary support 321 and a adjacent support 322. More specifically, thefirst lip 15 is positioned atop an arbitrary support 321 from theplurality of capillary holder supports 32, while the second lip 16 ispositioned atop an adjacent support 322 from the plurality of supports32. Resultantly, the capillary holder 1 is positioned between thearbitrary support 321 and the adjacent support 322. To allow anarbitrary support 321 and an adjacent support 322 to suspend more thanone capillary holder 1, the plurality of capillary holder supports 32are parallel to each other. Thus, a group of capillary holders 1 can beplaced along the length of arbitrary support 321 and the adjacentsupport 322. By providing a plurality of capillary holder supports 32which are also parallel, the container 3 is able to efficiently store alarge number of capillary supports 32.

Rounding out the present invention, the container 3 further comprises alid 33. The lid 33 is positioned atop the container 3, forming anenclosed area within the container 3. The provision of the lid 33 helpsmaintain an isolated and sterile, if desired, environment for pre-usestorage of the capillary holders 1 and capillary tubes 2. Potentiallythe lid 33 can be foldably connected to a top edge of the lateralsurface 31, effectively joining the lid 33 and container 3 together.This is in contrast to a removable lid 33, which simply fits over thelateral surface 31, with a rim that fits over the outer part of thelateral surface 31 and helps to form a better seal between the lid 33and the container 3. By providing a tight seal, the combination of thelid 33 and the container 3 helps maintain an ideal storage environmentinside the container 3. While the present invention requires a minimumof two capillary holder supports 32 (to act as the arbitrary support 321and adjacent support 322), any number of additional capillary holdersupports 32 can be provided, allowing the capillary holders 1 to beprovided in a variety of lot sizes deemed most useful or marketable. Thespace between an arbitrary support 321 and an adjacent support 322 iswide enough to fit the supporting body 11 of the capillary holder 1 inbetween, but close enough that the first lip 15 and the second lip 16can rest upon the supports 32, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.Correspondingly, the width of the box can be as wide or as narrow asnecessary to hold the plurality of capillary supports 32. The length ofthe container 3 can be as long as reasonably desired, limited only bythe need for the container 3 to be ergonomic and easily carried andtransported. The height of the container 3 only needs to be as high asthe height of the capillary holders 1. While an oblong shape is mostefficient for the container 3, the container 3 could be any shapedesired as long as the plurality of capillary holder supports 32 can beconnected parallel to each other within the container 3.

The present invention allows for easy and convenient cryo-storage ofsamples through the use of capillary action. The present invention iscapable of being used with any type of sample storage device, the mostcommon of which include sample tubes 4 and micro tubes, e.g. Eppendorftubes. The aforementioned are only provided as examples, and not meantto limit the type of sample storage device which the present inventioncan be used in conjunction with. During distribution, shipping, storage,and prior to use, the capillary holders 1 and capillary tubes 2 are heldin the container 3, with the first lip 15 and the second lip 16 of eachcapillary holder being held by a respective arbitrary support 321 andadjacent support 322 of the container 3. Multiple capillary holders 1can be placed upon the same pair of supports 32, with the total numberof capillary holders 1 per pair of supports 32 only being limited by thelength of the container 3. After a sample has been collected into asample tube 4 and is ready for storage, the capillary holder 1 andincluded capillary tubes 2 are removed from the container 3 and placedinside the sample tube 4. The plurality of legs 14 hold the supportingbody 11 up inside the sample tube 4, with the supporting body 11additionally being braced by the interior walls of the sample tube 4.Once in position, any number of capillary tubes 2 can be placed throughthe plurality of holes 12, with their second end 22 resting in the well41 of the sample tube 4. The number and type of capillary tubes 2 usedwill vary with the desired application. If the sample will be used insmall amounts, then a large number of small volume capillary tubes 2will be used. However, if the sample only needs to be divided into a fewrelatively large amounts, then a smaller number of larger volumecapillary tubes 2 are used. Once in position, the second end 22 of thecapillary tube 2 draws sample from the well 41 into the capillary tube 2through capillary action. In this manner, the sample is transferred fromthe storage tube into the capillary tubes 2. If more capillary tubes 2are required than can be held by a single capillary holder 1, then thefirst capillary holder 1 can be removed from the sample tube 4 andadditional capillary holders 1 can be inserted until the desired amountof sample has been transferred to capillary tubes 2.

After the contents of the sample tube 4 have been transferred to thecapillary tubes 2, the sample tube 4, along with its correspondingcapillary holders 1 capillary tubes 2, is placed in a freezer or similartemperature regulated area for cold storage. It is noted that since thesample has been split up amongst a number of capillary tubes 2, thefreezing process is much quicker than when compared to freezing the samevolume of sample in a single larger tube.

When the sample is required for use, the sample tube 4 is retrieved fromstorage, allowing the capillary holder 1 and capillary tubes 2 to beaccessed. The necessary amount of sample is obtained by removing anumber of capillary tubes 2 whose sum volume is equal to the desiredamount of sample. For example, if 15 μl of sample are required and eachcapillary tube 2 holds 3 μl of sample, then five capillary tubes 2 areremoved for use. The capillaries intended for use are set aside, whilethe sample tube 4, capillary holder 1, and remaining capillary tubes 2are placed back in cold storage. Similar to the accelerated freezingprocess, the thawing process is sped up due to the total sample volumebeing split amongst smaller volume capillary tubes 2 rather than beingaccumulated and unseparated in the well of a single sample tube 4. As aresult, the samples needed for use quickly thaw and become ready foruse. This bypasses the sometimes length duration or advanced planningthat is required when attempting to thaw samples. As an added bonus,only the exact amount of sample needed is removed to thaw. Often timesonly a small amount of frozen sample needs to be used, but this requiresthawing of the entire sample, adding unnecessary time to the thawingprocess. This problem is alleviated by the present invention.

As a result of the combination of the capillary holder 1, the capillarytubes 2, and the container 3, the present invention is able to simplifyand expedite the storage and retrieval of samples, increasing researchefficiency.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A capillary storage system comprises: an at leastone capillary holder; the at least one capillary holder comprises asupporting body, a plurality of holes, a handle, and a plurality oflegs; the plurality of holes traversing through the supporting body,wherein the plurality of holes begin adjacent to the handle andterminate adjacent to the plurality of legs; the handle being connectedadjacent to the supporting body; and the plurality of legs beingconnected adjacent to the supporting body opposite the handle.
 2. Thecapillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the supportingbody comprises a top surface and a bottom surface; the handle beingpositioned adjacent to the top surface; the handle being centrallyconnected to the top surface; the plurality of legs being perimetricallyconnected to the bottom surface; the plurality of holes traversing intothe top surface and out of the bottom surface; and the plurality ofholes being radially positioned around the handle.
 3. The capillarystorage system as claimed in claim 2 comprises: an at least onecapillary tube; the at least one capillary tube traversing through arespective hole from the plurality of holes. the at least one capillarytube comprises a first end, a second end, and a grip; the grip beingconnected adjacent to the first end; the first end being positionedadjacent to the top surface; and the second end being positionedopposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned in a wellof a sample tube.
 4. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1comprises: the plurality of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg;and the first leg and the second leg being positioned opposite eachother around the supporting body.
 5. The capillary storage system asclaimed in claim 1 comprises: the supporting body being cylindrical. 6.The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises: acontainer; the container comprises a lateral surface and a plurality ofcapillary holder supports; the at least one capillary holder furthercomprises a first lip and a second lip; the at least one capillaryholder being located within the container; the plurality of holdersupports being parallel to each other; the plurality of holder supportsbeing positioned interior to the lateral surface; the plurality ofholder supports being connected across the lateral surface; and thefirst lip and the second lip being perimetrically connected to thesupporting body.
 7. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 6comprises: the plurality of capillary holder supports comprises anarbitrary support and an adjacent support; the at least one capillaryholder being positioned between the arbitrary support and the adjacentsupport; the first lip and the second lip being positioned opposite eachother around the supporting body; the first lip being positioned atopthe arbitrary support; and the second lip being positioned atop theadjacent support.
 8. The capillary system as claimed in claim 6comprises: the container further comprises a lid; and the lid beingpositioned atop the lateral surface.
 9. A capillary storage systemcomprises: an at least one capillary holder; an at least one capillarytube; the at least one capillary holder comprises a supporting body, aplurality of holes, a handle, and a plurality of legs; the supportingbody comprises a top surface and a bottom surface; the plurality ofholes traversing through the supporting body, wherein the plurality ofholes begin adjacent to the handle and terminate adjacent to theplurality of legs; the handle being connected adjacent to the supportingbody; the handle being positioned adjacent to the top surface; theplurality of legs being connected adjacent to the supporting bodyopposite the handle; the plurality of legs being perimetricallyconnected to the bottom surface; and the at least one capillary tubetraversing through a respective hole from the plurality of holes. 10.The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the handlebeing centrally connected to the top surface; the plurality of holestraversing into the top surface and out of the bottom surface; theplurality of holes being radially positioned around the handle; and thesupporting body being cylindrical.
 11. The capillary storage system asclaimed in claim 9 comprises: the at least one capillary tube comprisesa first end, a second end, and a grip; the grip being connected adjacentto the first end; the first end being positioned adjacent to the topsurface; and the second end being positioned opposite the first end,wherein the second end is positioned in a well of a sample tube.
 12. Thecapillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the pluralityof legs comprises a first leg and a second leg; and the first leg andthe second leg being positioned opposite each other around thesupporting body.
 13. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9comprises: a container; the container comprises a lateral surface and aplurality of capillary holder supports; the at least one capillaryholder being located within the container; the plurality of holdersupports being parallel to each other; the plurality of holder supportsbeing positioned interior to the lateral surface; and the plurality ofholder supports being connected across the lateral surface.
 14. Thecapillary storage system as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the at leastone capillary holder further comprises a first lip and a second lip; theplurality of capillary holder supports comprises an arbitrary supportand an adjacent support; the at least one capillary holder beingpositioned between the arbitrary support and the adjacent support; thefirst lip and the second lip being perimetrically connected to thesupporting body; the first lip and the second lip being positionedopposite each other around the supporting body; the first lip beingpositioned atop the arbitrary support; and the second lip beingpositioned atop the adjacent support.
 15. The capillary system asclaimed in claim 13 comprises: the container further comprises a lid;and the lid being positioned atop the lateral surface.
 16. A capillarystorage system comprises: an at least one capillary holder; an at leastone capillary tube; a container; the at least one capillary holdercomprises a supporting body, a plurality of holes, a handle, and aplurality of legs; the supporting body comprises a top surface and abottom surface; the container comprises a lateral surface and aplurality of capillary holder supports; the plurality of holestraversing through the supporting body, wherein the plurality of holesbegin adjacent to the handle and terminate adjacent to the plurality oflegs; the handle being connected adjacent to the supporting body; thehandle being positioned adjacent to the top surface; the plurality oflegs being connected adjacent to the supporting body opposite thehandle; the plurality of legs being perimetrically connected to thebottom surface; and the at least one capillary tube traversing through arespective hole from the plurality of holes.
 17. The capillary storagesystem as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the plurality of legs comprisesa first leg and a second leg; the handle being centrally connected tothe top surface; the plurality of holes traversing into the top surfaceand out of the bottom surface; the plurality of holes being radiallypositioned around the handle; the supporting body being cylindrical; andthe first leg and the second leg being positioned opposite each otheraround the supporting body.
 18. The capillary storage system as claimedin claim 16 comprises: the container further comprises a lid; the lidbeing positioned atop the lateral surface; the at least one capillarytube comprises a first end, a second end, and a grip; the grip beingconnected adjacent to the first end; the first end being positionedadjacent to the top surface; and the second end being positionedopposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned in a wellof a sample tube.
 19. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim16 comprises: the at least one capillary holder being located within thecontainer; the plurality of holder supports being parallel to eachother; the plurality of holder supports being positioned interior to thelateral surface; and the plurality of holder supports being connectedacross the lateral surface.
 20. The capillary storage system as claimedin claim 16 comprises: the at least one capillary holder furthercomprises a first lip and a second lip; the plurality of capillaryholder supports comprises an arbitrary support and an adjacent support;the at least one capillary holder being positioned between the arbitrarysupport and the adjacent support; the first lip and the second lip beingperimetrically connected to the supporting body; the first lip and thesecond lip being positioned opposite each other around the supportingbody; the first lip being positioned atop the arbitrary support; and thesecond lip being positioned atop the adjacent support.